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Cleaning your Computer :
Required tools  : A Philips screwdriver (or any other tools required to open the case), a can of compressed air, cotton swabs, isopropyl alcohol, a lint free (microfibre) cloth, a vacuum to cleanup any dust and dirt removed from the case and a face mask to protect against breathing in any dislodged dust or dirt.

Cleaning your computer ensures that all ventilation and cooling works as intended, and helps to ensure that dust and dirt buildup does not cause components to overheat or fail prematurely.

If you have pets or smoke, your computer should be cleaned every two to three months.  If you have no pets and do not smoke, every six to eight months should suffice.

If possible, work in an uncarpeted area to reduce the chance of damage caused by static electricity.

Turn off the computer before beginning work.  Use a wrist grounding strap or other anti-static equipment.  If you do not have such equipment then first hold a bare (unpainted) piece of case metal before unplugging the computer to discharge any static electricity.  

Unplug the power cord.  Remove the side of the case.

Wipe down the inside and outside of the computer case with a lint free cloth.  

Use short blasts of compressed air (long blasts of compressed air can cause condensation) to blow out dust and dirt buildup around fans, case openings and internal components.  

Pay particular attention to the CPU heatsink and fan.  A lot of dust and dirt can buildup in these areas.  Too much dirt buildup on the CPU fan can potentially cause it to slow down or fail completely, which could lead to CPU failure or data loss.

Use a soft paintbrush and then cotton swabs moistened with isopropyl alcohol to clean fan blades of any dirt which was not removed with compressed air.

When using compressed air :

• Ensure to keep the can of compressed air upright to prevent any liquid from escaping.
• Spray from at least four inches away from any internal components to prevent freezing.
• Hold fan blades still to stop them from spinning to prevent possible damage.
  

Do not use a household vacuum to remove dust from the interior of the computer case.  Static electricity may damage components.

Carefully remove all dust and dirt from the interior of the case.  Prior to putting the case back together, ensure that all cables are firmly attached and that no components have been moved from their proper position.


Cleaning your keyboard :  
Required tools : Compressed air, isopropyl alcohol, cotton swabs.
To clean your keyboard ensure that the computer is first turned off and then unplug the keyboard. Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it firmly back and forth to shake free any dirt .  Then, holding the keyboard vertically, use a can of compressed air to blow air from the top to the bottom of the keyboard, blowing out any remaining dirt.  Ensure to do this in a location that is easy to clean.  Clients are often amazed to see just how much dirt accumulates in a keyboard! To clean the keys scrub them with a cotton swab moistened with isopropyl alcohol.


Cleaning your mouse :
Required tools : Lint free cloth, cotton swabs, isopropyl alcohol.
If you need to clean your mouse you are probably using an old ball style mouse, so my advice is to buy and use an optical mouse!  They are smoother to use and usually never need cleaning.  However, if you are using a ball mouse then you should turn it upside down and unscrew the ball retaining ring.  Remove the ball and rub it clean with a lint free cloth.  Using a cotton swab moistened with isopropyl alcohol, clean the two rollers of any accumulated dirt.  Then put the ball back in the mouse and replace the retaining ring.


Cleaning your LCD monitor :
Required tools : Lint free (microfibre) cloth. Distilled water, isopropyl alcohol.
Always first check the monitor manufacturer's instructions and follow those instructions.
Turn off and unplug the monitor. Use a lint free (microfibre) cloth to remove dust.  If there are no fingerprints on the screen then this may be all you need to do.  If there are still smudges and fingerprints on the screen, then using a lint free cloth and a cleaning solution made of 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% distilled water,  spray the cleaning solution onto the cloth (never spray directly onto the screen itself) and gently wipe the screen.  Do not press hard against the screen or you might damage it.  Finally, using a dry lint free cloth, wipe the screen to remove any remaining moisture.  Do not plug in and use the monitor until the screen is completely dry.

Always ensure to use a soft lint free cloth when cleaning your monitor, anything else might cause scratches.  There are some commercially sold liquid monitor cleaning solutions available and these should be safe to use.  Do not use ordinary liquid household cleaners such as Windex as these type of products may contain ingredients (such as ammonia) that can damage the screen.